Wes Streeting has warned that Labour is losing the fight against nationalism and risks handing the keys to Number 10 to Reform UK unless the party changes course. In his first Commons intervention since quitting Keir Starmer's Cabinet last week, the former Health Secretary described leaving the government as an 'emotional wrench' but insisted he acted because of the threat posed by nationalist movements.
Streeting told MPs: 'I left the Government because we are in the fight of our lives against nationalism and it is a fight that we are currently losing. Unless we change course, we risk handing the keys of Number 10 to Reform, and I do not want that on our consciences.' He added that nationalists are in power in every corner of the UK for the first time in history, with Scottish and Welsh nationalism threatening the union and Reform UK threatening the country's values.
The former Cabinet minister rejected divisive politics, saying: 'The nurse from Nigeria is not the enemy of the factory worker in Newcastle. The family fleeing war is not responsible for the cost-of-living crisis.' He argued that Labour was elected to deliver change and still can, but warned against 'treading water' in government.
Streeting's intervention piles pressure on Starmer, who has resisted calls to step aside. Streeting has confirmed he will stand in any leadership contest, and a challenge may be triggered if Andy Burnham defeats Reform in the Makerfield by-election next month. Streeting also highlighted the struggles facing young people, including high rents, house prices, and anxiety over AI, warning that if mainstream politics fails to address these issues, others will exploit the vacuum.
